• Embryonic and tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis
• Endothelial progenitor cells / Wnt5a in lymphangiogenesis
• Innovative teaching techniques
• Lymphoma
• Neuroblastoma progression
• Selected Publications
• Wnt signaling

Antiangiogenesis

After the discovery of the hemangiogenic growth factor VEGF-A in 1989 it took 15 years until in 2004 the first drug against VEGF-A (Avastin®) was approved for a first line antiangiogenesis therapy of colon carcinoma. The drug has a broard spectrum of unwanted effects and it is important to search for further targets for antiangiogenesis therapy. We have started a screening for angiogenesis-associated genes. We applied VEGF-A and VEGF-C on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of avian embryos (Fig. 3), isolated RNA and studied regulated genes with whole genome microarrays (Affymetrix). We are now verifying candidate genes in endothelial cells and study the effects of appropriate genes. Our goal is to identify new angiogenesis-associated genes and to block their functions with specific inhibitors.

Fig.: Induction of hemangiogenesis by human VEGF-A (left) and lymphangiogenesis by VEGF-C (right) in the avian chorioallantoic membrane